Multiple exposure- Straight images

Multiple exposure- Technique post

Definition- In photography and cinematography, a multiple exposureis the superimposition of two or more exposures to create a single image, and double exposure has a corresponding meaning in respect of two images. The exposure values may or may not be identical to each other.

Dan Mountford

This image appeals to me due to the way that it carries connotations of youth and rebellion in keeping with Ann Gould's theory of youth having six key attributes Nihilism, Rebellious nature, Sexual desires, Self destructive behaviour, Drug interest and an Artificial tribe mentality.  This sense of rebellion and drug interest are encapsulated in the use of cigarettes in the image.

Camera settings

Aperture: F5.6 (in order to produce a shallow depth of field and direct focus upon the images subject).

Shutter speed: 1/125 (a slow shutter speed should be used in order to capture the subject movement).

ISO: 200 (a low ISO should be used in order to create a crisp image whilst ISO 200 is a good setting to use in the studio).

Lighting 

-Model light (a light source must be used in order to create light trails).

-Natural lighting.

Equipment

-Tripod (in order to reduce camera shake).

-Nikon D5300, standard lens (no specialist lens was required).

Notes from clip

Camera

• Turn auto gain off.
• Take 2 shots.
• Multiple exposure mode on.
• Spot metering mode.
• Aperture priority mode.
• Focus point in the centre.
• White out background.
• Turn up the exposure compensation by two points.

Photoshop

• Add both images as layers.
• Change the top layer to screen.

Slow sync flash- Work diary

Camera settings

Aperture: F4 (in order to produce a shallow depth of field and direct focus upon the images subject).

Shutter speed: 1-8" (a slow shutter speed should be used in order to capture the subject movement).

ISO: 200 (a low ISO should be used in order to create a crisp image whilst ISO 200 is a good setting to use in the studio).

Lighting 

-Model light (a light source must be used in order to create light trails).

Location

-Photography studio.

Equipment

-Tripod (in order to reduce camera shake).

-Nikon D5300, standard lens (no specialist lens was required).

Shoot objective/obstacles

The objective of this shoot was to use slow sync photography to document movement.  Obstacles which I encountered during this shoot includes having issues creating unique compositors in the studio setting.

Favourite Image

This is my favourite image as I like the way that the subjects movements have formed a symbol similar to infinity.  I also like the way that the subject is contrasted with the darkness of the background due to the light colours of his clothes.  I like the way in which the green is central to the image as it provides an element of symmetry to the image.  I feel that the lower levels of saturation throughout the image also complement the blurred effect as it helps the subject movements to blur into one fluid shape.

Least Favourite Image

This is my least favourite image as a result of the fact that I feel that the image lacks interesting composition due to the fact that the image is largely focused on the left third of the image.  Another element of the image which I am unsatisfied with is the way in which the lighting in the image doesn't allow for high levels of contrast between the subject and the background as it lightens the background significantly.

Inclusion of technique in project

This technique will not appear in my project as I don't feel that the use of light trail blurs will be applicable in the kind of surrealist fashion shoot which I wish to undertake.

Multiple Flash- Straight images

Blur- Work Diary

Camera settings

Aperture: F4 (in order to produce a shallow depth of field and direct focus upon the images subject).

Shutter speed: 1-8" (a slow shutter speed should be used in order to capture the subject movement).

ISO: 100 (a low ISO should be used in order to create a crisp image).

Lighting 

-Natural lighting.

-Iphone torch.

Location

-Harlow college.

-Photography studio.

Equipment

-Tripod (in order to reduce camera shake).

-Nikon D5300, standard lens (no specialist lens was required).

Shoot objective/obstacles

The objective of this shoot was to use blur photography to take a series of interesting images.  Obstacles which I encountered with this shoot included struggling to think of interesting compositions for blur photography which is why I chose to explore light trail photography.

Favourite Image

This is my favourite image due to the fact that it demonstrates blur in the form which I originally intended to photograph.  I like the lack of saturation in this image due to the way that it adds an eerie sense to the image.  I also feel that the lack of contrast with the subject from the rest of the image adds to this ghostly and spiritual sense particularly the way in which the images background can be seen through the subjects form.  I also like the sense of symmetry to the image due to positioning of the subject in the images centre.

Least Favourite Image

This is my least favourite image due to the fact that I feel that the image does not have a clear meaning or symbolism behind it for this reason whilst I enjoyed using this technique it is my least favourite image.  Despite my issues with this image I still find it aesthetically pleasing due to the high contrast between the light trail and the images background as well as the abstract drawing style of the trail.

Inclusion of technique in project

This technique will not appear in my project as I don't feel that this candid style of photography is applicable to the concept for my project.

Multiple exposure- Image bank

Sara K Byrne

Gjon Mili

These images appeal to me due to the way in which the image layered over the subjects face gives connotations to the subjects personality and emotional state.  I also like the way in which the second set of images implement full body shots opposed to just portraiture head shots.

Multiple flash- Technique post

Definition- A camera which implements multiple flashes and an be used to find depth edges or create stylised images.  This technique is similar to slow sync flash.

This image appeals to me due to the way that the subject is continually looking towards the camera despite his movement across the image.

Camera settings

Aperture: F22 (reduces light allowed into camera to combat high shutter speed).

Shutter speed: 6" (allows for large amounts of movement to be captured).

ISO: 200 (setting required for bright weather outside).

Lighting

-Multiple studio lights (to capture multiple stages of movement).

Equipment

-Tripod (used to prevent camera shake).

-Nikon D5300, standard lens (no specialist lens required as not shooting in macro or especially wide format).

Multiple flash- Image bank

Owen Lloyd

Slow sync flash- Image bank

Johan Lindqvist

Pat David

Gordon Anthony McGowan

This technique interests me as it adds a sense of life to each image it is employed in through the combination of light and movement.  The effect is particularly striking in images with high saturation as it conveys the feeling of passion to the viewer.

Blur- Image bank

Jacob Carter

Robokon GT

The above images appeal to me because of the impact which can be made to a photo through such a simple technique.  I would be interested in taking a photo with the background being a solid colour to create a greater level of contrast.

Peter Lindbergh

I like these images because of the way in which blur has been incorporated in portraiture as this is normally a practise which would be considered counterintuitive to the point of taking a portrait image as the subject is blurred.

Slow Sync Flash- Straight images

Blur- Straight images

Blur with Light Trails

Portrait Blur

Slow sync- Technique post

Definition: Slow sync flash is just another term for using your flash with a slow shutter speed. It helps you keep your subject sharp while capturing motion or a dark background. 

Camera settings
Aperture: F11 
Shutter speed: 1" (This long shutter speed allows for movement to be made in order for it to be captured by the light trails).
ISO: 200

Lighting 

-Light source (used in order to form light trails).

-Snoot (used to direct light).

Equipment:

-Tripod (used in order to prevent camera shake and consequent image distortion).

-Nikon D5300 with standard lens (no specialist lens required as not shooting in macro or extreme wide angle).

-Light metre (used to gage the correct settings for the lights in regards to subject placement).

-Dark background (a dark background should be used in order to create an effective contrast between the light trails and background).

Blur- Techniques post

Dictionary definition- Motion blur is the apparent streaking of rapidly moving objects in a still image or a sequence of images such as a movie or animation. It results when the image being recorded changes during the recording of a single exposure, either due to rapid movement or long exposure.

Blur with light trails

I like this image because of the simplicity of the stick figures and the way they add a sense of idealism to the image.

Motion blur

I like this image as I feel that it conveys a sense of confusion and a loss of identity as the subjects face is blurred out.

Camera settings

Aperture: F4 (reduces light allowed into camera to combat high shutter speed).

Shutter speed: 2" (allows for large amounts of movement to be captured).

ISO: 100 (setting required for bright weather outside).

Lighting

Natural lighting (when shooting outside).

Equipment

-Tripod (used to prevent camera shake).

-Nikon D5300, standard lens (no specialist lens required as not shooting in macro or especially wide format).

Location Portraiture- Work diary

Camera settings

Aperture: F4 (in order to produce a shallow depth of field and direct focus upon the images subject).

Shutter speed: 1/200 (a fast shutter speed should be used to prevent image distortion from the subjects movement).

ISO: 200 (a low ISO should be used in order to create a crisp image).

Lighting 

Natural lighting

Location

Harlow town centre and Harlow college.

Equipment

Tripod (in order to reduce camera shake).

Shoot objective/obstacles

The objective of this shoot was to photograph the people of Harlow going about their daily routines.  Issues encountered during this shoot included a lack of willingness in people to have their photos taken as well as issues with setting up the tripod efficiently due to the fact that one tripod was shared between three students.

Favourite Image

This is my favourite image due to the colour contrast between the images relatively monotone foreground and colourful background.  I also like the way that the aperture of F4 provided a good depth of field which helps to focus the viewers eye on the subject in the images foreground.  In regards to the subject of the image I like the way that the viewer is able to see them carrying out a task in a candid fashion as I feel that this is more effective than a posed image in regards to documentary photography.

Least Favourite Image

This is my least favourite image due to the lack of contrast between the images subject and background this is due to the fact that the subject is dressed solely in black and therefore blends into the shadows of the foliage.  I feel that although the wide shot allows for the gardener to be viewed carrying out a task associated with his job it is ineffective as it means that there is little focus on him which draws away from the objective of a portrait.  If I were to take this photo again I would consider using a tripod as well as taking the image in portraiture or from a closer range in order to gain an image more focused around the subject opposed to his surroundings.

Inclusion of technique in project

This technique will not appear in my project as I don't feel that this candid style of photography is applicable to the concept for my project.

Camera- Settings control

Aperture
More light = Double aperture
Aperture- 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 16, 22, 32, 66
Shutter speed- 30", 15", 8", 4", 2", 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000

Fine art photography- Essay

Research:

http://www.holocaustresearchproject.org/ghettos/grossman.html

Essay:

Mendel Grossman was a Jewish documentary photographer who took photos documenting the changes to Poland around 1939 as a result of Hitler’s rise to power and the outbreak of WW2.   Mendel went to great lengths to capture these moments in history in a dangerous environment he created his own lenses and used to carry his camera through holes cut in to his pockets and open his coat to take covert photos.  The above image is a photo taken as part of a series focusing on life in the Lodz ghetto where Jewish people from Austria, Germany, Luxembourg and Czechoslovakia were sent to carry out labour in poor conditions (Ghettos should not be confused with Nazi Concentration or death camps which were where Ghetto inhabitants were often sent).  The Ghetto’s in Germany and Poland were used to segregate the Jewish people from the rest of the pure German population as Hitler was on a quest to create an aryan and perfect race.   It should be noted that the anti-semetic views of this time period were not unique to Germany but were also prevalent in Russia, which lead to Trotsky feeling unable to take power and the consequent rise of Stalin.

The above photo shows at first glance what appears to be two boys playing "cops and robbers" however the images punctum adds a colder element to the image.  The fact that the child is smiling can either be seen by the viewer as a smile of innocence and naivety of the horrors facing the Jewish people at this time.  This image however may also be interpreted as a display of the boy in the uniform taking power over the Jewish people despite the fact that both of the boys in question are of Jewish descent which can be inferred from the fact that they are both currently living in the Ghetto.  The more sinister reason for the smile can be supported by the fact that the boy is wearing what appears to be a replica of the Jewish Police of the Ghetto’s uniform and is therefore acting out a role he has seen others perform.  There are multiple possible reasons for this firstly it is possible that the boy’s father is a member of the Jewish Ghetto police as there is other photographic evidence of the sons of policemen wearing replica uniforms (see the image below), the second plausible reason for this behaviour is the fact that the child has witnessed the comparative luxury in which the Jewish Ghetto police are gifted with for there betrayal of their race.  This comparative luxury was witnessed by Mendel himself whom snuck into various officers parties and was horrified by the luxurious food and belongings they had in comparison to the general Jewish Ghetto population who were living in famine and squalor.

From the images studium it can be inferred that the Ghetto’s are a poor and labour intensive environment.  This can be seen from the fact that the boy appears to be dressed in clothing associated with the lower classes and factory workers, the idea that factory work is taking place in the Ghettos can be supported by the chimney which is present in the background of the images left third.  The poverty of the Ghetto can also be seen from the shabby buildings in the images background as well as the decaying fence which runs across the images middleground.

In conclusion this image successfully documents an element of the Ghettos and humanity itself which is even darker than the Nazi regime and that is mans ability to turn on ones own in their time of need for a personal gain.  This deep analysis of humanity and the human psyche is what qualifies this image to be regarded as fine art and why it is still especially relevant today.

Questions:

How has your research informed your understanding of Life in the Jewish Ghetto?

Researching this topic has not particularly informed me about Life in the Jewish Ghetto as I have studied this topic previously however it has informed me on the lengths which people will go to in order to document the harsh realities of the world.

How does your research help you in recognizing photography as a documentary tool?
Researching this topic has helped me to see that documentary photography can be a vastly important historical tool for people to learn about important and tragic events opposed to just a way for people to document their everyday lives.